Perhaps you've come across a similar situation in sales in regard to customers' raising other macroeconomic factors, say, financing rates or unemployment trends.

When a customer is hung up on an obstacle over which he or she has absolutely zero control, the best strategy is to prompt the person to think of the purchase as a long-term decision, thus lessening the impact of short-term factors.

Buyer: "Well, there are a lot of question marks in the oil market right now and I’m concerned about the effect this price drop will have on our company. I mean, my job is not in jeopardy, but things are scary right now."

Salesperson: "Got it. Let me ask you this: Do you often see fluctuations in the price of oil?"

Buyer: "Yes, all the time. But still, what’s happening right now is unusual."

Salesperson: "Agreed. But is it safe to say that this is a short-term phenomenon, especially since the price of oil has fluctuated wildly over the past five years?"

Buyer: "Yes, it is a short-term trend. But it's serious."

Salesperson: "Understood. What about this purchase decision? Is that a short-term consideration or a long-term consideration? It’s long term, correct?"

Buyer: "Yes, it definitely is long term."

Salesperson: "I just want to be sure that you make the right decision for the right reasons. It's always dangerous to make long-term decisions based on short-term factors. I would encourage you to stay long term in your thinking. Make sense?"